COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF TALLAGHT AREA COMMITTEE 1

Monday, April 16, 2007

HEADED ITEM 2

Report on Drainage Problems in the Maplewood/Raheen Area

 A number of queries have been received by the Council in relation to ongoing drainage issues in the Springfield area which includes Maplewood and Raheen. In response the Council has indicated that it will carry out some survey work in the area to establish the extent of the drainage problems. In general, where the problem areas identified are in private ownership, the Council has indicated to residents that it is not in a position to carry out any remedial works without payment for the services provided. Where problems are experienced in Council rented dwellings, they are addressed through the Housing Department of the Council. The Drainage Maintenance and Operation Section usually assists in any work involved.

In terms of drainage infrastructure the following table identifies where responsibility lies for drainage maintenance and operations.

 Table 1:      Drainage Infrastructure Responsibility

Item	Responsibility
Internal plumbing within private dwelling	Householder
Internal plumbing within Council rented dwelling	Council Housing department
External sewerage infrastructure from the dwelling to the public main sewer where all houses are privately owned	Each householder along the sewerage line has a shared responsibility. If the Council carries out the works there is a cost charged to each householder. (see Table 2)
External sewerage infrastructure from dwelling to the public main where some of the houses are Council rented dwellings	Privately owned houses on the sewerage line have a shared responsibility with the Council.
Main Sewer (if taken in charge)                   (if not taken in charge)	South Dublin County Council. The developer.

Table 2: Relevant Charges for Drainage Services 2007:-

		2007 Charge
A	Clearance of private household drains (including combined drains)	€180
E	Removal/Repair of Faulty broadstrap	Less than 6 houses  €750 MIN 6 houses or more €900 MIN

The Springfield area from a drainage perspective comprises Alderwood, Ambervale, Ashgrove, Birchwood, Cairnwood, Fernwood, Lanndale, Maplewood, Raheen, Virginia Heights and Whitebrook. Each of these estate are significant in size and there have been reports of various types of drainage problems in many of these estates.

 Problems reported are generally as follows,

(i)Faulty Broadstraps

(ii)Use of 4” pipework (4” sewers serving more than 6 dwellings)

(iii)Poor gradients in some sewers

(iv)Misconnections

(v)Infiltration

The problems that arise are generally not with the main sewers. The Council’s Area Engineer and the Drainage Inspectors log all drainage problems in the area so that information can be compiled on any blackspots. The reported problems experienced by householders are also logged.

Proposals

Over the coming months the Area Engineer and Drainage Inspector will visit the area to examine any blackspots on the main sewers with a view to examining what remediation measures can be proposed. It is proposed to also inspect estates in the area. This information together with the ongoing logging information and previous history data will serve to identify the significant problem areas with a view to recommending remedial measures where feasible.